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Alex Smith (businessman)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Alex Smith
Born (1986-11-06) November 6, 1986 (age 38)
Fort Wayne, Indiana
EducationIndiana University
OccupationEntrepreneur
Known for

Alex Smith (born November 6, 1986, Fort Wayne, Indiana) is an American entrepreneur known for his innovative approach to distribution and cloud technology. He is the co-founder & CEO of 3BG Supply Co., an industrial distributor recognized for transforming the customer purchasing experience through technology and a customer-first mindset.[1] He is also the co-founder and CEO of KloudStax, a cloud computing and digital transformation company that achieved Google Cloud Premier Partner status in 2023.[2]

Smith is additionally a co-founder of A Better Fort,[3] and co-founder of the BAALS Music Festival.[4]

Biography

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Alex Smith was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he attended Bishop Dwenger High School.[5] Following high school, Smith enrolled in Indiana University, graduating with a bachelor's degree in Public Financial Management.

Career

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Smith began his career as a financial planner at Galecki Financial Management but soon left financial services to co-found 3BG Supply Co.[6] In 2014, 3BG Supply Co. was awarded Emerging Company of the Year and overall Innovators of the Year by Fort Wayne Business Weekly.[7][8]

In 2015, 3BG Supply Co. was nominated for the Tech Innovation of the Year at the Mira Awards, recognizing the company's contribution to technological innovation in Indiana.[9] The same year, 3BG Supply was also honored as a "Business of the Year" by the Northeast Indiana Business Excellence Awards, further solidifying its reputation in the regional business community.[10]

In 2019, 3BG Supply Co. was named the Regional Business of the Year by Elevate Ventures, an award recognizing the company's positive impact on the community and its significant annual revenue growth and new hires.[11] This accolade highlights Smith's leadership in fostering a successful and impactful business.

In 2021, 3BG Supply Co. achieved national recognition by ranking No. 2124 on the Inc. 5000 list, showcasing the company's substantial growth and innovative approach to industrial maintenance distribution.[12]

In 2022, 3BG Supply Co. received the Greater Fort Wayne Inc. Business Expansion Award, recognizing the company’s continued growth and contribution to the local economy.[13]

In 2023, with Smith’s leadership and the support of his team, 3BG Supply Co. acquired Controls and Electric Motor Company (CEMCO), a Missouri-based provider of electric motor and pump repair services. This acquisition expanded 3BG’s service capabilities and strengthened its position in the industrial supply sector.[14]

Later that year, Smith co-founded KloudStax, a company specializing in cloud computing and digital transformation services. With a leadership team focused on innovation and client-driven solutions, KloudStax achieved Google Cloud Premier Partner status, placing it among the top 3% of Google Cloud partners in it's country [15] and enabling it to provide advanced cloud solutions across North America.[16] Smith’s work at KloudStax reflects his commitment to technology-driven, client-focused business models.[17]

Projects

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The MY CITY Project (HipHop4theCity)

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In 2012, Smith facilitated a music project entitled, "HipHop4theCity" (aka The MY CITY Project). This community-driven hip-hop project involved collaboration with many local musicians, including American rapper Nyzzy Nyce.[18] This project showcased the region's undiscovered talent while simultaneously bringing awareness to community involvement and the arts. Coverage of the project sparked a renewed sense of civic pride within Fort Wayne’s young population, attracting attention from national economic development publications[19] and inspiring other civic initiatives like the annual MY CITY Summit.[20]

Personal life

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Smith is married to Michaela Smith.[21]

References

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  1. ^ Anna Wells (June 5, 2023). "Tech-Enabled, Customer First". Industrial Distribution. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
  2. ^ "KloudStax Achieves Google Cloud Premier Partner Status". EIN Presswire. 2024. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
  3. ^ Kelly Lynch (April 8, 2014). "Arts Weekly with A Better Fort". Lynchpin Creative. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
  4. ^ Jaclyn Goldborough (July 29, 2014). "A Better Fort Plans a Pair of Block Parties for Downtown Fort Wayne". The News Sentinel. Archived from the original on February 20, 2015. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
  5. ^ "Dwenger Times" (PDF). Bishop Dwenger High School. 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 11, 2015. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
  6. ^ "BBB Business Review". BBB. November 14, 2013. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
  7. ^ "Innovative Companies Honored". kpc News. November 2014. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
  8. ^ Claudia Johnson (September 26, 2014). "2014 Innovation Award Category Winners Announced". kpc Media group Inc. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
  9. ^ "TechPoint Mira Awards Honoring 'The Best of Tech in Indiana'". Retrieved 2024-02-21.
  10. ^ "Northeast Indiana Business Excellence Awards". Retrieved 2024-02-21.
  11. ^ "2019 Regional Business of the Year: 3BG Supply". Retrieved 2024-02-21.
  12. ^ "Inc. 5000 Profile for 3BG Supply Co". Retrieved 2024-02-21.
  13. ^ "Allen County Continues Strong Growth in 2022". City of Fort Wayne. 2022. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
  14. ^ "3BG Supply Co. Acquires Controls and Electric Motor". Industrial Distribution. 2023. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
  15. ^ "How to become a Premier Partner". Google Ads Help. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
  16. ^ "KloudStax Achieves Google Cloud Premier Partner Status". EIN Presswire. 2024. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
  17. ^ "MHS Grad Starts Tech Company KloudStax". Yahoo Finance. 2024. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
  18. ^ "HipHop4theCity". Indiana News Center. Archived from the original on 2012-02-26. Retrieved November 5, 2012.
  19. ^ "Can a Rap Video Make Fort Wayne Cool?". Bloomberg. Retrieved November 5, 2012.
  20. ^ "City summit will inspire big ideas, challenge leaders". The Journal Gazette. April 6, 2014. Archived from the original on 2015-01-10. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
  21. ^ Keiara Carr (June 19, 2014). "Inspiration for a Better Fort". Journal Gazette. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
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